[Flashback]Reduce the darkness (Eridanus)

[Nai'shee]

"Yeah...", she smiled. "You really know how to say things." She reconsidered what she was doing in her head. It was madness. But it's not like it's her first time doing such a things. So she decided to tell him everything. What's the reason to tell him anything if it's not complete truth and she doesn't get anything from it? If she already gone that far, why not? For some reason she really felt like she can trust him. Now she just had to spit it out. She sat on the ground and sighted, chopping some grass. It will surprise him. Well, she didn't know how to say it. Strange, she knew how to act while lying, but she have no idea how to say the truth. Was her truth that much worse? "I don't know how to put it. I... I don't have parents, I'm homeless. And I am a thief." She was looking straight in his eyes, with not much shame. She decided she can't be ashame because of it long ago, because it's the only way to survive. She have been doing that for two years now and she didn't notice anybody she stole something from get into a real financial problems. But even if they did, it was fight for survival. They should have been more careful. That's all there's to it. Or at least she wanted to believe so.

[Eridanus]

The ethaefal watched the human youth sit down in an unsure manner as she pondered how to next phrase her words. She stared right into his eyes as she revealed the truth, though if she expected it to be shocking she would find herself surprised.

Throughout the time he spent on Mizahar, Eridanus had borne witness to many an atrocity committed by the races towards him and towards others. Be it zith, human, nuit or whatever the assortment of races out there, they all were capable of savage brutality. The humans were the worse, for though they were the most common race and possibly the oldest - though this point was up for contention amongst some historians - Eridanus found that the capacity for evil in their heart were also the largest and deepest.

It was common for a shelter-less orphan with no one else to look to and to fend for herself to become a thief. It was instinct after all. If one needed something but had no means to get it, one simply took it. Such people were not evil like certain people in Eri's history that he knew, but merely trying to survive. This meant that they could be reformed, to be educated and put on a constructive path.

It was difficult for him to convey emotion in his celestial state, for in this divine body he radiated the kind of surreal beauty foreign to the mortal world, that portrayed an otherworldly attitude that was too alien for people unacquainted to the ethaefal to accurately understand.

That did not mean he did not try, and try he did as he tried to put compassion in his eyes as he held her gaze as she revealed her past.

"...and so where will you go from here? From now?" He simply replied. He did not preach, he did not convert. He did not instruct, he did not order. No, these were actions that should be taken on one's free will. She had to come to the realization of wanting to change her life by herself to truly change, for his 'advice' would merely pollute the situation and leave her future self to doubts, wondering if she had chosen the right path.

It was on purpose that this question was vague. She could take it literally, but he also meant it figuratively. What did she want to do with her life?

[Nai'shee]

She noticed his expression haven't changed. After all, when you think a bit, she knew many peoples with similar destiny. He probably heard many stories or even seen them, lived them until now. She was still young and these were in front of her. She was happy for him not judging her acts, which was pretty expectable when you consider his way of thinking. She already thought about him as an logical, calculated and wise man. "I don't know. The only thing I wanted is to become a sailor, but I don't have someone to teach me anything, nor I have money for any studies. I'm not good at anything but escaping and skills that helps it. Only ability more or less unbounded to stealth I know is a bit of flux. But still, I don't want to do anything but sailing. I always love to learn something, the most because I'm curious, but anything can be useful in life. People tell me it's a perfect quality for school, but I'm not respective enough to authorities, nor I have money for it." She was chatty again, but her voice was impregnated by seriousness this conversation deserved. She kept chopping grass. She felt a bit airy, both about her mood and intentions in life. It was like a fact to her: she will become sailor. But how, she had no idea. She would grab every chance she could get, but they didn't seem to appear. And they probably won't until she grows up a bit more and raise her skills. Everything seemed so unrealistic, but she ignored it, and sill believed in her dream.

[Eridanus]

She began talking more about herself, and it seemed that she was more reflecting out loud rather than actually talking to him. Which was perfectly fine. What grabbed his attention more was her claim to know flux, which as a form of personal magic that required both mental and physical discipline, was something that an ordinary street urchin would not pick up.

"What about flux?" He asked, perhaps a little more sharply than he might have. It was a form of magic more dangerous to the user than to others, for there were simply too many ways for it to go wrong if one did not get the proper instruction.

'You're no ordinary girl, aren't you?' The ethaefal's eyes seemed to say as he surveyed her critically, calmly holding her gaze if she happened to look up from her grass-chopping.

"I am a flux user myself," He remarked as an afterthought. He could somehow relate to her because of the same magic they both wield, and there was something in him that wanted to make sure she got on the right path. It might be her youth, or his dormant need to protect the seeming-vulnerable or uneducated, but he believed it his duty to empower and enlighten the masses.

"We are similar in that way," Eridanus replied thoughtfully, and he did not just mean flux, for he also meant her curiosity and willingness to learn. He was also driven by an incessant need for knowledge and discovery, and he knew that if she paired her drive with the right set of values and mindset she could do great things to improve their post-apocalyptic world.

"I highly recommend schooling. Education is a must for someone of your potential. I have gone down this road before..." His voice trailed off as he spoke. Physically his gaze was on her, but the expression in his eyes showed that mentally he was thinking about his past.

[Nai'shee]

She was surprised when he ignored her monologue and concentrated on part about flux. It probably meant something to him. He seemed very interested in her future, which she considered weird. Most people didn't mind what she did or didn't do. Her education was probably something people would laugh about if mentioned. "I'm a flux user. My... well, I call him 'dad', but I'm actually adopted. He was a flux master, but his body was pretty damaged by using it. He taught me a lot before he died, but I'm as half as good as he was. I'm usually afraid to use it and I don't get in situation I have to often." He said that he's flux user himself which picked her attention. She looked at him curiously thinking if he was better than her. His sword wasn't really much faster than usual swordsman, but he probably wasn't using it, at least not much, in such a kind of training. Comment about her education worried her. Is it really like that? Is she really lacking potential that much by running around and having fun? And will she be able to change it, ever? She wanted to learn, but she knew that currently the only way to do so is from some friends or books if she finds any. School wasn't really a option for her. Even if she had money, with her attitude she wouldn't stand a chance in communicating with teachers. She wasn't for formal talk, especially not for respecting others that much. And above all she was afraid to change her own traits. She didn't want to become just another student, like the most here in Zeltiva. But she probably will someday. There's no other way. "I agree with you. But I don't stand a chance in these waves. And even if we ignore everything, I'm a bit afraid of it. To change. To find other dreams and interests. To just live another life like that. I'm adventurer. I can't stand life without it. Stealth became kind of adventure for me, and I hope sailing will be the same one day."

[Eridanus]

She spoke as if getting an education was the end of life. As if she would consigned forever to a dreary life and dreary existence. Nothing was further than the truth! Eridanus knew that humans had a pitiful lifespan that could never be compared to his own immortal existence, but even so the trade-offs from a few years of education would be able to improve one's lot much better for the rest of one's life!

"You speak of education as if it is the end of things, the end of your life. It is far from the truth, and these words come from one who constantly seeks illumination and knowledge. Education is everywhere, even as you talk to me and I talk to you we both learn something. The University merely formalizes such education for efficiency."

He looked away, glancing up into the night sky contemplatively.

"It is but the beginning of a new and exciting journey, opening up doors that you've never seen before," the ethaefal added, as if recalling what he felt when he was first offered the gift of knowledge. So many people were willing to teach, and one only needed to be willing to learn. To understand a little more about the world bit by bit.

His words were quiet in the silent air as he whispered, "What better else to do than to try? To live a life without regrets?"

[Nai'shee]

She smiled at his words. She really was a bit silly, but that was not it. "I'm not talking about education in global, but about formal one. You know, I never had parents or siblings or my any owning to worry about. I always done whatever I wanted. I could hurt only myself, so I don't really care. But if I want to finish school I must start to worry about myself. Which is for me kind of losing freedom. And I will be ordered to do things for class... I'm just not used to it. I don't know if you understand me. For example, if you said 'Help me with my training' I would do it, but if you said 'You need to train with me in order to get good grades' it's like a order to me. And I don't like to be ordered around. It might be really childish, but imagine if you never had someone to teach you what's right or wrong. I taught myself. And when you're your own teacher you get used to it. You're the only one who's asked, you know", she smiled at herself, really feeling silly saying all of these, it was childish, indeed, but... She could get up now and run somewhere else and do whatever she wants. That was the feeling all human beings lusted for. Still, she got that freedom by stealing. It wasn't alright, but it felt so good. And if she wanted to pay for school she will have to steal even more. She thought about it a bit, and realized the only way to do so is to turn savings for buying a boat to savings for education. And even if she did that, she wouldn't have enough few more years. She sighted again. Why have she started this conversation? It was too hard for her. She haven't thought, she just did. Then she remembered why she really started this conversation. "By the way... I'm not changing topic, we'll get back to it, just... I wanted to ask you something. This might sound rude, but: what are you? I've never seen a being like you, and I met really many races here."

[Eridanus]

The more she talked, the more he could see his younger self in her. The foolish and headstrong person he used to be when he first landed on his planet, believing that he could change the world with his ideals and nothing else. Believing that things would just happen. But it did not. He realized that in order to change things, he had to take the initiative. And in order to change the world, one had to change oneself first.

"It is your own choice," The ethaefal said quietly. "I used to be like you once... a long time ago when I was young and foolish. Sometimes in order to reach your goals the journey will be unpleasant. That is when your motivation and passion comes in to keep you going until you reach the goal. Pursuing one's dreams is never easy..." He sighed. It was true, for it was somehow some kind of general rule that nothing came easy, not in this world freshly rebuilt from the Valterrian.

If she wanted to be a sailor she needed to learn proper sailing, navigational and relevant skills, and where better than to learn it at the University? She did not like being ordered around, but would her passion for sailing be strong enough to act as an anchor of hope for her to go through the entire system so that she could pursue her dreams?

She changed the subject, and he smiled, for most people had not seen his kind before. It was quite understandable.

"I am an ethaefal, miss. I was chosen by Leth to join Him in his divine realm in my past life, free from the cycle of reincarnation dictated by Lhex. However, the Tearing of the World ripped apart the moon god's domain, and beings like me were torn from our heaven into this mortal plane." He had explained it so many times that it was by now an automatic response, a brief summary of himself, his race, his condition.

[Nai'shee]

The fact that's her own choice was probably what made her think he's right. If she ever earns enough money she will learn sailing and navigation from university, but in case she doesn't she will keep searching for a teacher. But she still couldn't give up her savings that easily. When he said it's her own choice she was sure that conversation is over, now it's up to her to give herself some time and decide. He said information about his race with voice of someone who's reciting a song, like he repeated it uncounted number of times until now, but it was so sad. To be torn away from something you love... It is sky, but in her mind, it was a sea. It would feel awful. "You must miss it", she said. She didn't want to pity him, she was sure he got over it long ago, but it wasn't fair. Why that many people had sad destiny? This world was cruel, indeed.

[Eridanus]

"I do, even after all this while," He whispered, looking wistfully at the Leth's presence in the sky. If He was looking over everything, did He notice him? Was the absence of one of His chosen noticed? Did He even bother?

And so time were spent just like that. The ethaefal contemplating his fate silently, and the human pondering over the conversation.

He did not know how much time have passed, but he shook himself from their collective reverie and addressed the girl,"So what are you going to do now?"

It was literal in that he was wondering what she intended to do, for she could not possibly stay in this quiet courtyard overnight for it would get crowded in the morning. He also meant it figuratively, for he was curious what conclusions she had drawn in the quiet reflection earlier after their conversation.